Enron's Former CEO Jeffrey Skilling To Appeal In Supreme Court

by Yuliya Talmazan | October 13, 2009 at 11:11 am

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The former CEO of Enron Corporation, Jeffrey Skilling, will appeal his sentence in the U.S. Supreme Court. Skilling was indicted on charges of federal felony in connection with Enron's bankruptcy in 2001.

Skilling was found guilty on almost all charges and sentenced to 24 years in prison. The Supreme Court will hear Skilling's appeal based on attorney allegations that wrong judicial principles were used to convict Skilling and that Skilling's jury was biased during the trial.

The issue seems to be the use of the federal "honest services" by prosecutors to convict Skilling. The charge is considered by many to be vague and over-used by prosecution. What it means is that anyone charged under it has been denying shareholders or public the right to "honest services" for personal benefit. But, Skilling is alleging he did not personally benefit from Enron's collapse. Skilling's attorneys will try to prove that the former CEO always acted in the best interest of Enron. Skilling is also alleging the negative publicity he received during his trial biased the jurors.

LAWYER EAGER TO TELL SKILLING THE NEWS

"I cannot wait to get on the phone with Jeff Skilling. We've been waiting now for almost three years for this day. To say we are relieved that finally a court has agreed to review these issues is understatement. Jeff deserves a full, fair and frank hearing on these issue and it now appears that he will get it," he said.

Many observers and former Enron employees are enraged that Skilling was allowed appeal.

A ruling in his favor on the fair trial claim probably would result in a new trial. The effect of the ruling on honest services is unclear since Skilling was convicted on other charges as well, including securities fraud.

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